Employment after boat building course

[gommingit]

Hi,
I am currently looking at taking the City and Guilds in Boat Building at the Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis. I wondered if anyone could tell me what kind of work opportunities there are after having completed a course like this, which focuses on wooden boat building, both in the UK and abroad.
Cheers

[gonzo]

They are slim. Most boatbuilders have a variety of skills and experience that a narrowly focused course like that does not offer. They work on small clinker boats mainly and the market for that is minimal.

[nick86]

Hello, I did the 38 week course there (March - December). Since 07 I have worked for Oyster, Sunseeker International and am now currently studying at the Solent University for a degree in Yacht Production and Surveying.

I would love to go back to Lyme Regis, I had the best 10 months. Go for it, also they do not work predominantly on clinker boats. You are supported to build any boat you like (subject to size).

[gonzo]

If you allow messages you may get offers

[michael pierzga]

Young guys from the boatbuilding schools are valuable apprentices at shipyards , particularly refit yards who service the big yachts.

Contact yards like Pendennis and the subcontractors who work in these yards. Many Subcontractors like Skilled apprentices because they are cheap labour.

When I do projects in Dutch shipyards I see many young apprentices on site.

Its surprising that your school doesn't have direct contact with marine industry employment.

http://www.pendennis.com/

[Landlubber]

gommingit,

your chances of employment, in any industry relate directly to your desire to be employed.

educating yourself further allows you to have even more options, so the odds are for you...I would certainly employ anyone that was interested in boat building and has done something about it far above someone just looking for a job....go for it mate, and all the best.

[michael pierzga]

And remember boatbuilding is a finicky profession. Since so few custom builds take place there are Not many actual boat builders out there. Most of the demand in the marine industry is for skilled fitters and service specialists .

Subcontractors who build component and hull plugs are a good place to look.

Race boat builds are good places to look. The next Volvo Race is coming up. Find out who is building . These boats are manpower intensive custom builds, many times by traveling boatbuilder teams...sign on as a helper.

Contact designers...for instance Mark Mills

http://www.mills-design.com/news/... and find out what custom boats are being built then search out the build gang or shipyard and sign on as a helper.

Once you get on the inside you have a better view.... Choose a good marine firm then get inside the marine industry as fast as possible...even if the pay is peanuts.


As for the marine industry in general...yachts are being taken over by electronic gizmos. There is a demand for guys who know how to service and install this complicated gear. Might be worthwhile to stay in the learning environment while the economy is slow and pick up another boat specific skill.

Contact these guys....http://www.bmea.org/british-marine-e...ic-technician/